(Pictured: Students in Mrs. Fazio's Human Anatomy & Physiology/Forensic Science class that observed open-heart surgery at AGH.)
Students from Mrs. Fazio’s human anatomy class had the opportunity to observe open-heart surgery at AGH on Monday, January 23. The observation program was created in 2008 by Dr. George Magovern, Jr., system chairman of the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery for Allegheny Health Network and the co-chair of AHN’s Cardiovascular Institute. The observation room provides a view directly below to the operating table. There’s also a screen on the wall which shows close-up views of the procedure. This view is obtained from a camera that’s strapped to the cardiovascular surgeon’s forehead.
During our visit, Dr. Pietro Bajona was performing a septal myectomy used to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy on a 42 year old male patient. Students had a chance to observe the four hour surgery and ask questions of Dr. Bajona when it was complete. Students had a first hand look at how all health professional’s in the operating room, including nurse anesthetists, cardiovascular perfusionists, surgical technicians, surgical physician assistants, and operating room nurses work together during a medical procedure. This is a unique opportunity for high school students in Western PA to see first hand the critical work that healthcare professionals do on a daily basis.
